Ketamine Infusions for Adult Patients with Acute and Chronic Non Malignant Pain

ROYAL HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN 

LOCAL OPERATING PROCEDURE 

CLINICAL POLICIES, PROCEDURES & GUIDELINES 

Approved by Quality & Patient Safety Committee 

19/9/13 

KETAMINE INFUSIONS FOR ADULT PATIENTS WITH ACUTE AND CHRONIC NON 

MALIGNANT PAIN (PROCEDURE) 

1. POLICY STATEMENT 

This document details the management of patients receiving a ketamine infusion for the management 

of pain enabling the patient to receive optimum pain relief safely and effectively. 

2. BACKGROUND 

Ketamine is an anaesthetic agent known to have analgesic properties in sub-anaesthetic doses. 

Ketamine analgesia is mediated by its effect on the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor where it 

blocks excitatory nerve activity involved in pain transmission. Ketamine is administered in combination 

with other analgesics, may improve pain and reduce opioid requirements. Best effects are obtained 

when given as a continuous infusion either intravenously or subcutaneously. Ketamine is a Schedule 8 

drug under the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act. 

Ketamine can produce severe dysphoric and hallucinogenic sensations/reactions. For this reason the 

use of a benzodiazepine or low dose haloperidol in patients receiving ketamine could be considered. 

3. RESPONSIBILITIES 

Registered Nurses 

Medical Staff 

4. PROCEDURE 

4.1 Patient selection 

When commencing ketamine therapy the patient has either; 

a) proven to be resistant to opioids for acceptable analgesia or 

b) has had major surgery with the expectation that the opioid requirements alone could cause 

significant side effects and complicate patient recovery. 

c)Pre –emptive use may minimise patient opiate use in enhanced recovery protocols. 

Patients who are on opioids, preoperatively or who have had multiple surgeries for ongoing pathology 

may find their pain improved while requiring less opioid if ketamine is added to their regimen. Loading 

doses in the Operating Theatres while under anaesthesia may be helpful and preferable over frequent 

boluses in recovery. Each patient will need to be assessed for thrombosis risk. 

4.2 Prescribing 

• Patient should be informed of potential side effects of ketamineKetamine infusions must 

be prescribed on State Ketamine Infusion (Adult) charts 

• If the order is changed it must be rewritten and completed as described above 

• Recommended dose varies depending on specific patient population. 

• Ketamine is compatible with fentanyl, morphine sulphate and hydromorphone. 

• Ensure dose is prescribed in milligrams. 

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MALIGNANT PAIN (PROCEDURE) cont’d 

Contraindications and Precautions 

Known contraindications to ketamine are hypersensitivity to ketamine and any 

conditions where a significant elevation of blood pressure is hazardous these include; 

• Intracranial hypertension, Cerebral aneurysms, Raised intra ocular 

pressure 

• May exacerbate pulmonary hypertension 

• Psychiatric disorders: - psychomimetic effects are more pronounced in 

the presence of schizophrenia and delirium. 

• Ketamine should be used with caution in the presence of ischaemic heart 

disease because of the risk of increased heart rate and blood pressure. 

4.2.1 Acute Pain 

Continuous intravenous or subcutaneous infusions at doses of 0.1-0.2 mg/kg/hr are 

commonly used in combination with an opioid for the management of post-operative and post 

injury pain. 

Commence ketamine infusion at (2- 4 mg / hr), (2mg/hr for elderly), and then titrate up 

according to the anaesthetist/pain consultant, once the effects of the anaesthetics subside. 

The recommended infusion rate is usually 2– 8 mg /hr and should only be prescribed by an 

anaesthetist or Acute Pain Service Medical Officer. 

4.2.2 Chronic Pain 

Patients with intractable chronic pain may be admitted for administration of ketamine infusion 

with escalation of dose as prescribed. This may be given by subcutaneous or infrequently by 

intravenous infusion. 

The dose of ketamine may be increased and titrated by the pain medical officer as prescribed, 

according to analgesic response and/or side effects. 

Suggested Doses for Chronic Non-Malignant Pain Patients 

Commence infusion at 4mg/hr 

• Increase infusion as prescribed by the Anaesthetist/Pain Service. 

4.2.3 Suggested Doses for Cancer Pain Patients 

Refer to ketamine in Cancer Pain procedure. 

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4.3 Preparation 

• Ketamine is a S8 drug and is required to be administered via a lockable infusion device. 

Remove PCA handset if fitted. 

• Wash hands and use aseptic technique during filing procedure. 

• Use ketamine 200mg in 2 mL ampoule. 

• Dilute to 2mg per ml for subcutaneous infusion 

• 100mg in 100mls of normal saline for intravenous use, (Bag and Gemstar pump) which 

equals 1mg per ml 

• Regular opiate may continue- see observation protocol. 

A usual starting dose would be dependant on the patients weight. 

2 mg per hour in the 60kg patient approximately 100mg/day 

The dose may be increased in increments up to a total of 0.1mg/kg/hr if required. 

• Ensure the infusion given via giving set with back check valve to prevent migration into 

additional lines. 

4.4 Administration 

Infusion via pump/delivery device can only be commenced and managed by Registered Nurses who 

are competent in using the specific pump/delivery device. 

The ketamine infusion must be clearly labelled for easy identification. 

If the infusion is delivered via disposable elastomeric device, ( Chronic or Palliative Care)e.g. 

Dosifuser®, the manufactures directions must be followed. Refer to individual hospital business rule 

for further detail on the preparation, concentration and rate of the infusion. 

4.5 Observations 

All patient must be observed for psychomimetic reactions – e.g. unpleasant dreams, vivid imagery and 

hallucinations, alterations in perception described as “floating in space” or as a “feeling of unreality”. 

For detailed information on potential adverse effects refer to TGA approved product information. 

Acute pain 

- If patient is receiving ketamine in addition to Patient Controlled Analgesia or Opioid Infusion 

then observations should be completed on the relevant PCA prescription and observation 

chart. 

- If ketamine is administered alone or in addition to oral/subcutaneous opioid analgesia then 

Ketamine observations should be completed every 2 hours on the Ketamine infusion chart 

including Pain Score. Other observations must be completed on the adult general observation 

chart. 

Maintain normal PCA observations- otherwise every 4 hours T P R BP, sedation, pain scores. 

Patients should be informed of the possibility of hallucinations or unpleasant reactions. 

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Chronic non-malignant pain 

- ON commencement of the infusion the patient should be monitored hourly for 4 hours 

particularly noting psychotropic reactions followed by Routine observations every 4 hours 

which include T P R BP, sedation, and pain scores. (unless directed otherwise). 

- Observations should be recorded on the specific ketamine infusion Adult Chart.. 

4.6 Management of Adverse Effects 

Dysphoria- vivid / bad dreams / disassociation / hallucinations 

• Reduce infusion by half 

• Check drug and prescription and ensure pump programme and infusion rate is correct 

• Contact the pain team or anaesthetic registrar/anaesthetist. 

• Have diazepam 2 to 5mg available. 

Increased Sedation 

• If drowsy but rousable administer oxygen via nasal prongs at 2 litres per minute, check 

infusion rate, check respiratory rate more frequently and if concerned contact PACE Team or 

Anaesthetic registrar. 

• If difficult to rouse, cease the infusion, administer oxygen via Hudson mask at 6 litres per 

minute and contact the Acute Pain Team or Anaesthetic Registrar/Anaesthetist. 

• If opioids are administered in conjunction with the ketamine infusion a review of opioid 

prescription is required. 

Respiratory depression / apnoea (usually caused by rapid infusion) 

• Check the infusion rate. 

• If respiratory rate is 8 to 10 breaths per minutes, continue to observe closely and 

administer oxygen via nasal prongs at 2 litres per minute. 

• If respiratory rate is less than 8 breaths per minute, cease the infusion, administer oxygen 

via Hudson mask at 6 litres per minute and initiate PACE Tier 1 call and contact 

Anaesthetic Registrar/Anaesthetist. 

• If apnoea is present, cease the infusion, initiate PACE Tier 2 call, provide basic life 

support and contact Anaesthetic registrar/Anaesthetist. 

• If opioids are administered in conjunction with the ketamine infusion a review of opioid 

prescription is required. 

Hypertension (i.e. Systolic greater than 40mmHg above patients usual OR Diastolic greater than 

95mmHg). 

• If BP greater than180/95 and/or pulse greater than 110 reduce ketamine infusion rate by 

25% per hr and contact the Acute Pain Team or Anaesthetic Registrar or Medical Officer. 

• If raised BP or Pulse remains elevated despite rate reduction inform anaesthetic registrar. 

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5. DOCUMENTATION 

Ketamine Infudion Chart SMR130028 

Standard Adult General Observation Chart SMR 110010 

6. AUDIT 

Patients receiving a Ketamine infusion will be regularly reviewed at least daily by Pain 

Management clinicians. 

7. REFERENCES 

• Australian Injectable Drugs Handbook 4th Edition 

• NSW Health Policy PD2007_077, Medication Handling in New South Wales Public Hospitals. 

• Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and Faculty of Pain Medicine. Acute Pain 

Management: Scientific Evidence. Approved by the NHMRC 2005 P 53-54. 

• Campbell-Fleming, JM, Williams, A. (2008) The use of ketamine as adjuvant therapy to control severe pain, 

Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, Vol.12, No.1, pp. 102-7. 

• Craven, R. (2007) Ketamine, Journal of Anaesthesia, Vol.62, No.1, pp.48-53. 

• Goodchild, C. The Role of Ketamine in Pain Management, Sensorium, A Neuroscience journal for 

Australasian Clinicians, 5:2004;5-8 

• Immelseher S., Durieux M., 2005, Ketamine for Perioperative Pain Management, Anaesthesiology, 102(1): 

211-20. 

• Hocking G., Cousins M.J., 2003, Ketamine in Chronic Pain Management: An Evidence-Based Review, 

Anesth Analg, 97:1730-9. 

• Kronenberg, R.H. (2002) Ketamine as an analgesic: parenteral, oral, rectal, subcutaneous, transdermal and 

intranasal administration, Journal of Pain Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy, Vol.16, No. 3, pp.27-35. 

• Liu, S.S. & Wu, C.L. (2007) The effect of analgesic technique on postoperative patient-reported outcomes 

including analgesia: a systematic review, Anaesthesia & Analgesia, Vol.105, No.3, pp.789-808. 

• Poisons List 2010, Department Of Health, New South Wales TG 147/85 

• Prommer, E. (2003) Ketamine to Control Pain, Journal of Palliative Medicine, Vol.6, No.3, pp.443-446. 

• Subramaniam K., Subramanium B., Steinbrook R.A., Ketamine as Adjuvant Analgesic to Opioids: A 

Quantitative and Qualitative Systematic Review. Anesth Analg 2004; 99:482-95. 

• Yamauchi, M. et al Continuous Low-Dose Ketamine Improves the Analgesic 

• Effects of Fentanyl Patient-Controlled Analgesia After Cervical Spine Surgery Anesth Analg 2008;107:1041– 

4 

REVISION & APPROVAL HISTORY 

Reviewed and changes endorsed by Director of Anaesthetics and Clinical Nurse Consultant Pain 

Management September 2013 

Approved Quality & Patient Safety Committee 18/8/11 

Endorsed Therapeutic & Drug Utilisation Committee 14/6/11 

Changed title from : Ketamine Analgesia – Acute Post Operative Pain Procedure and Guidelines’ 

Approved Quality Council 15/3/04

Ketamine Infusions for Adult Patients with Acute and Chronic Non Malignant Pain

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